Earthen rock matrix and water-wet bulb temperature cooling mass

ABSTRACT

Natural and/or Processed Hydrophilic Earthen Minerals (water loving rocks) formed into an air-water interface matrix will track only a few degrees above local wet bulb temperature with the addition of water. Coating surfaces, Building Roofs and Walls, with hydrophilic earthen rocks and adding water will cool the building mass below air temperature. Wet bulb temperature is the lowest temperature that can be reached by the evaporation of water only. It is the temperature you feel when your skin is wet and is exposed to moving air. The wet bulb temperature is lower than ambient air temperature, except during rain. Water is added periodically to maintain hydration and wet bulb temperature tracking. Hydrophilic Earthen Minerals are UV Stable, expand surface area for evaporation and are fireproof.

Hydrophilic (Water Loving) Earthen Rocks combined with water track justabove the local wet-bulb air temperature, below ambient air temperature.Wet bulb temperature is the lowest temperature that can be reached bythe evaporation of water only. It is the temperature you feel when yourskin is wet and is exposed to moving air. Coating surfaces, BuildingRoofs and Walls, with hydrophilic earthen rocks and adding water willcool the building mass below air temperature. The Sun's energy thatcurrently heats roofs and sun exposed walls, well above air temperature,will create water vapor from the moist matrix, instead of heating thesurface. The enthalpy of vaporization, (symbol ΔHvap), also known as theheat of vaporization or heat of evaporation, is the energy required totransform a given quantity of a substance (liquid water) into a gas at agiven pressure (often atmospheric pressure). Efficiency of vaporizationis increased by the exponential addition of the air/water interface areaof the hydrophilic rocks bonding water molecules that in turn bond withmore water molecules in hydrogen bonds. A larger surface area willevaporate faster, as there are more surface molecules that are able toescape. Hydrophilic Rocks absorb water right off the roof deck. Thedaytime heating load on building roofs and walls is vaporized away withthe Sun's energy breaking the hydrogen bonds of water, instead of makingheat. Earthen rocks are UV Stable and do not burn, importantcharacteristics for roof and wall coatings.

Its a 1, 2, 3 Application. 1. Spray the adhesive 2. Spread theHydrophilic (Water Loving) Earthen Rocks 3. Set up Sprinkler—Soaker HoseSystem.

The matrix can be bonded to the structure with Portland Cement, AsphaltEmulsion, Adhesives like Glue/Epoxy and Gravity (on flat roofs). Spreadrocks with a broom or air blower. Sprinkler-Soaker Hose Systems can befound at hardware stores and larger commercial watering systems withcontractors. Gutter systems collect rain water run-off for futurecooling energy. Gutters enable running/recirculating water flow creatinga constant ‘almost full’ hydration of matrix. One way system where wateris pumped into matrix and evaporated for cooling without guttercollection are appropriate and effective at cooling in deserts (limitedrain collection potential). Energy for cooling can be obtained fromrecycled municipal water, fresh water, surface water, well water and/orsalt water. Continuous water flow and/or intermittent watering keeps thematrix below air temperature. Thermal heating takes place when thematrix is dry, allowing for cooling or solar heating, depending on localdemand and moisture content.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

U.S. Pat. No. 6,820,439 Structure cooling system U.S. Pat. No. 6,820,439Marek Nov. 23, 2004.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,808,829; 2,266,321; 2,660,863; 3,563,305; 3,668,287;4,064,706; 4,355,682; 4,761,965; 5,070,933; 5,174,128; 6,250,091;6,367,275; 6,575,234

A system for cooling a structure exposed to solar radiation. The systemincludes a polymeric sheet covering one or more exterior surfaces of thestructure. A water dispensing means associated with the sheet provides aflow of water across the sheet to wet the sheet, allowing evaporativecooling to take place. The color and construction of the sheet alsoprovide for insulation against ambient heat and reflection of some solarenergy. A sensor detecting an environmental condition, such as rooftemperature or sheet wetting, may activate water flow by actuating avalve.

PATENT EXPIRED ON Nov. 26, 2008—DUE TO FAILURE TO PAY MAINTENANCE FEES

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

N/A

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Class Information Number: 62/259.4

Name: Refrigeration>Structural installation>With evaporative type cooler

Description: Apparatus in which cooling of air or an object takes placeby the evaporation of water into air in an open system, e.g., roofcoolers.

In U.S. Pat. No. 6,820,439 Marek Nov. 23, 2004 and all the interestingCross Referenced Patents in that Patent's list, specific problemsinvolved in the prior art (or state of technology) is the lack of BOTHUV stability and fire retardant of hydrophilic materials patented.

ALL three characteristics—UV Stable, non-flammable and hydrophilic arepresent with Hydrophilic (Water Loving) Earthen Rocks and Water—Wet-BulbTemperature Tracking Cooling Matrix. The enthalpy of vaporization,(symbol ΔHvap), also known as the heat of vaporization or heat ofevaporation, is the energy required to transform a given quantity of asubstance (liquid water) into a gas at a given pressure (oftenatmospheric pressure). The expanded surface area created with the waterbonding with rocks track just above the local Wet-Bulb Temperature, alarger surface area will evaporate faster, as there are more surfacemolecules that are able to escape. Wet bulb temperature is the lowesttemperature that can be reached by the evaporation of water only. It isthe temperature you feel when your skin is wet and is exposed to movingair. A characteristic of all earth rocks is UV stability and they do notbum (dry or wet), both beneficial when coating exterior building roofsand walls.

Diatomaceous earth consists of fossilized remains of diatoms, a type ofhard-shelled algae mined without further processing, the absorbency is aresult of porosity with high internal surface area, water fills therocks. Vermiculite—hydrated magnesium aluminium silicate, exfoliateswhen heated. Vermiculite rocks are a shiny black in appearance andabsorb ample heat energy when dry. Perlite—a naturally occurringsiliceous rock, expands from four to twenty times its original volumewith heat. Perlite is white to off white and bonds water to itsexterior. All three minerals are highly absorbent and all track justabove the local wet bulb temperature with water.

Hydrophilic (Water Loving) Earthen Rocks—Wet-Bulb Temperature TrackingCooling Matrix claims to bring qualities not realized in prior art forcooling structures, thus worthy of US patent.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This Hydrophilic Earthen Rock Matrix combined with water is designed tocool roof and walls below ambient air temperature, just above wet bulbtemperature which is the lowest temperature that can be reached by theevaporation of water only. It is the temperature you feel when your skinis wet and is exposed to moving air. The Matrix of Stone helps protectstructures from fire and is extremely durable to the sun's relentlesssolar energy transmission. Cooling Traditional Solar Heated Rooftops andWalls (residential, commercial, government) to near local wet bulbtemperature provides inexpensive solar thermal protection powered withonly recycled municipal water, fresh water, surface water, rain water,well water and/or salt water. The matrix can be bonded to the structurewith Portland Cement, Asphalt Emulsion, Adhesives like Glue/Epoxy andGravity (on flat roofs).

Direct solar thermal heating of building rooftops exceeds 60*C (140*F)daily nationwide during the summer. Earthen Rock Matrix combined withwater will have roofs at a mid-day operational temperature of 30*C(86*F). Earthen Rock Matrix combined with water transfers the Sun'senergy from direct heating of structures into water vapor, not heat.Earthen Rock Matrix presents the opportunity to make the simple changefrom 60*C to 30*C (140*F to 86*F) using only recycled municipal water,fresh water, rain water, surface water, well water and/or salt water.Earthen Rock Matrix are inexpensive, fireproof and very UV stable.

Its a 1, 2, 3 Application. 1. Spray the adhesive 2. Spread the Wet Rocks3. Set up Sprinkler-Soaker Hose System.

The matrix can be bonded to the structure with Portland Cement, AsphaltEmulsion, Adhesives like Glue/Epoxy and Gravity (on flat roofs). Spreadrocks with a broom or air blower. Sprinkler-Soaker Hose Systems can befound at hardware stores and larger commercial watering systems withcontractors. Gutter systems collect rain water run-off for futurecooling energy. Gutters enable running/recirculating water flow creatinga constant ‘almost full’ hydration of matrix. One way system where wateris pumped into matrix and evaporated for cooling without guttercollection are appropriate and effective at cooling in deserts (limitedrain collection potential). Energy for cooling can be obtained fromrecycled municipal water, fresh water, surface water, well water and/orsalt water. Continuous water flow and/or intermittent watering keeps thematrix below air temperature. Thermal heating takes place when thematrix is dry, allowing for cooling or solar heating, depending ondemand.

Diatomaceous earth consists of fossilized remains of diatoms, a type ofhard-shelled algae and is mined with out further processing, theabsorbency is a result of porosity with high internal surface area,water fills the rocks. Vermiculite—hydrated magnesium aluminiumsilicate, exfoliates when heated. Vermiculite rocks are a shiny black inappearance and absorb traditional heat energy when dry. Perlite—anaturally occurring siliceous rock, expands from four to twenty timesits original volume with heat. Perlite bonds water to the exterior ofthe rock. All three minerals are highly absorbent and all track justabove the local wet bulb temperature with water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1. Depicts a building roof with a simulated coating of Earthen RockMatrix. As the Drawing depicts a coating of significant depth (inch),operational mass can vary. The thicker the Matrix, the greater theholding capacity of water and the less often water needs to be added.Thin Coatings of the Matrix will require more repetitive or constantwatering.

FIG. 1A. Exploded view demonstrates the expanded surface area of theair/water vaporization interface with Earthen Rock Matrix.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This Hydrophilic Earthen Rock Matrix combined with water is designed tocool your roof and walls below ambient air temperature, just above thewet bulb temperature which is the lowest temperature that can be reachedby the evaporation of water only. It is the temperature you feel whenyour skin is wet and is exposed to moving air. The Matrix of Stone helpsprotect structures from fire and is extremely durable to the sun'srelentless solar energy transmission. Cooling Traditional Solar HeatedRooftops and Walls (residential, commercial, government) to near localwet bulb temperature provides inexpensive solar thermal protectionpowered with only recycled municipal water, fresh water, surface water,rain water, well water and/or salt water. Direct solar thermal heatingof building rooftops exceeds 60*C (140*F) daily nationwide during thesummer. Hydrophilic Earthen Rock Matrix combined with water will haveroofs at a mid-day operational temperature of 30*C (86*F). HydrophilicEarthen Rock Matrix combined with water transfers the Sun's energy fromdirectly heating of structures into water vapor, not heat. HydrophilicEarthen Rock Matrix presents the opportunity to make the simple changefrom 60*C to 30*C (140*F to 86*F) using only recycled municipal water,fresh water, rain water, surface water, well water and/or salt water.Hydrophilic Earthen Rock Matrix are inexpensive and very UV stable.

Its a 1, 2, 3 Application. 1. Spray the adhesive 2. Spread the Wet Rocks3. Set up Sprinkler-Soaker Hose System.

The matrix can be bonded to the structure with Portland Cement, AsphaltEmulsion, Adhesives like Glue/Epoxy and Gravity (on flat roofs).Sprinkler-Soaker Hose Systems can be found at hardware stores and largercommercial watering systems with contractors. Gutter systems collectrain water run-off for future cooling energy. Gutters enablerunning/recirculating water flow creating a constant ‘almost full’hydration of matrix. One way system where water is pumped into matrixand evaporated for cooling without gutter collection are appropriate andeffective at cooling in deserts (limited rain collection potential).Energy for cooling can be obtained from recycled municipal water, freshwater, surface water, well water and/or salt water.

Continuous water flow and/or intermittent watering keeps the matrixbelow air temperature.

Thermal heating takes place when the matrix is dry, allowing for coolingor solar heating, depending on local demand.

Diatomaceous earth consists of fossilized remains of diatoms, a type ofhard-shelled algae and is mined with out further processing, theabsorbency is a result of porosity with high internal surface area,water fills the rocks. Vermiculite—hydrated magnesium aluminiumsilicate, exfoliates when heated and is then shiny black in appearance.Vermiculite absorbs traditional heat energy when dry. Perlite—anaturally occurring siliceous rock, expands from four to twenty timesits original volume with heat. Perlite, a white to off white rock, bondswater to its exterior. All three minerals are highly absorbent and alltrack just above the local wet bulb temperature with water.

The advantages of the invention and how it solves previously existingproblems, like those identified in the BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION, areUV Stability for long term exposure to direct solar energy (roofs),fireproof status and exponentially increasing the air/water surfaceinterface. The increased air/water surface interface allows the matrixto cool to just above wet bulb temperature, which is the lowesttemperature that can be reached by the evaporation of water only. It isthe temperature you feel when your skin is wet and is exposed to movingair.

1. A system for cooling a structure below air temperature comprising ofa coating of Hydrophilic Earthen Rocks, covering an exterior surface ofa structure and a water distribution system allowing for wetting of theHydrophilic Earthen Rock covering.
 2. The system of claim 1, HydrophilicRocks with high water absorbency are: DE—diatomaceous earth with highinternal surface area and porosity, water fills the rocks. Perlite andVermiculite both bond water to the exterior and exponentially increasethe air/water surface interface. All rocks are stable in the sun's rays.3. The system of claim 1, Hydrophilic Rocks track just above the localwet bulb temperature with water.
 4. The system of claim 1, Water forcooling can be obtained from recycled municipal water, fresh water, rainwater, surface water, well water and/or salt water.